I filmed this video this morning, along with about 4 or 5 other planes. This was meant more to be practice with the camera and trying it out. So please don't critiqué me too harshly. But for those of you who haven't actually seen or experienced it, you can very clearly see the legendary steep climbout on departure from that airport.

Quoting DTW757 (Reply 1):I took this video at SNA on a Delta 757 last month. SNA is a great takeoff for sure!

Just curious, did the captain come on the PA before takeoff, and explain the procedure? The only time I've flown in and out of SNA, it was an AA 752, and right before takeoff, the captain explained that they would taxi into position, rev the engines to full power, and have a really steep rate of climb, and then power the engines back to about half power over the beach.

The first video is something different. It gives us a view from outside of the aircraft something I have never seen before. Thank you for sharing this video. It's nice to see something different of SNA on youtube instead of take-offs and landings from window views.

Quoting N174UA (Reply 3):
I think UA uses a special 757 for this departure...a 757 MZ?

Nope. All UA 757's can do this procedure. The procedure basically calls for a max blast take off to 1500', followed by a huge decrease in thrust, and a coast out to sea. It is great fun as long as you don't lose an engine at V2 (personal experience). Thanks, Ed McMahon for this wonderful procedure (ex Navy pilot and Johnny Carson lackey whose house is at the end of the runway.)

Quoting Longhornmaniac (Reply 6):Just curious, did the captain come on the PA before takeoff, and explain the procedure?

Quoting Longhornmaniac (Reply 6):Just curious, did the captain come on the PA before takeoff, and explain the procedure?

Yes they sure did. One of the flight crew explained that SNA had one of the strictest noise regulations in the country and that we would have to keep the nose higher than most people were used to for a little while after takeoff.

Quoting Tozairport (Reply 9):Thanks, Ed McMahon for this wonderful procedure (ex Navy pilot and Johnny Carson lackey whose house is at the end of the runway.)

That's great, I'm sure the airport has been there a lot longer than Ed McMahon's house. You have to love when people move near an airport and then want noise restrictions placed on the airport so that the noise has a low impact on their lives.

Quoting 777fan (Reply 2):especially on the 757 and A319 which seem to jump up to about FL080 in a matter of a couple of miles.

It might seem like that but most cross Newport Beach around 3,000'-3,500'. They are able to start to accelerate and clean the airplane up around 3,000' IIRC.

Left SNA on 12/31/06 in a B737, yeah lots of motor compared to the last time I flew out of SNA in a B733 or B735 a few years ago, the departure sure seemed almost normal compared to past take-offs from SNA. We taxied onto the runway, stopped for maybe 5 seconds as the power came in and we were rolling as the take-off power was set, no standing on the brakes or anything, no PA speaking to the take-off as was done previously and other than a power reduction at 800' or so and a shallow of the climb until crossing the coast, power back up, cleaned up the wing and off we went, not much different than taking off at most airports.

I had heard there was a slight reduction in the strict noise procedure with the NG's and less MD80's, and CO used to make that a Captains only departure but that has now changed as well. None the less, still a wonderful ride from a very very short runway for across the country.

Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.

A great ride for sure, but the restrictions are not as harsh as they used to be. With quieter/more efficient engines there is less noise produced if the aircraft can climb higher on full power versus staying lower at reduced thrust. Great to watch though.

Quoting Brandonb (Reply 13):Someone on YouTube told me that they were going to expand the runway 200'

Runway expansion would probably only happen after 2015 after the current settlement agreement expires. The 767 information could have come from the original settlement agreement which I believe limited the terminal to 9 jetways capable of handling the design aircraft (767). Having said all that I don't think any airline would try and get that large a plane in or out of SNA.

Quoting Tozairport (Reply 9):Nope. All UA 757's can do this procedure. The procedure basically calls for a max blast take off to 1500', followed by a huge decrease in thrust, and a coast out to sea. It is great fun as long as you don't lose an engine at V2 (personal experience).

UA 752 + SNA Noise Abatement takeoff = my favorite Aircraft of all time! The last time I flew out of SNA (which happened to be the day they lost power last May) I loved how the 752 kicked me into my First Class seat then break out of the cloud layer.... Ahhh great memories!!

Quoting Brandonb (Reply 18):That amazes me to. Don't flaps slow the plane down in air? I know that it helps get the aircraft in the air quickly but why are they still extended until they get to the ocean?

The flaps essentially increase the wing area allowing the airplane to remain airborne at lower speeds requiring less power and therefore less noise. Once the airplane was out near the coast and away from the restricted area, the power is increased and as speed builds the flaps are retracted.

Maybe because SNA is such a nice airport or because of the take-offs?? Well I've never been to SNA only ONT and LAX so I don't know. I've driven by it a lot of times before though.

Quoting DTW757 (Reply 20):The flaps essentially increase the wing area allowing the airplane to remain airborne at lower speeds requiring less power and therefore less noise. Once the airplane was out near the coast and away from the restricted area, the power is increased and as speed builds the flaps are retracted.

Oh ok I never knew that. That is interesting. So now I know why it helps planes get airborn so fast on take-offs and why SNA doesn't retract them until over the ocean.

Quoting Brandonb (Reply 22):Maybe because SNA is such a nice airport or because of the take-offs??

That is what i was thinking but wanted to be sure! The thrill of SNA is nothing like the late 90's from what I witnessed a couple of days back, yet still a great place......best be on speed and altitude at DEJAY and KAYOH on the KAYOH Arrival, oh and on final as well.

Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.